Checking in

[Michelle W]

Hi, sweet friends,

Just checking in how we’re all doing since the election. I love you all, and I know I can trust you. We need to take care of each other because it’s going to get real bumpy. My bff sent me this article that I found comforting and helpful https://wagingnonviolence.org/2024/11/10-things-to-do-if-trump-wins/

Love,

Michelle

P.S. I’ve been sick so I read book 2 of Truly Devious!

Sent from my iPhone

[Holly Webster]

Michelle,

I'm so sorry that you have been sick, but I am glad you had Truly Devious book 2 to help! I hope you are feeling recovered.

I think I am cycling through despair, fear, depression, numbness and seeking something positive. Part of me says that we survived the first administration, so we will survive this one. The other part of me truly believes this time around will be much, much worse. If I could, I would leave the country for the next 4 years. 

Martin, my heart is broken for you. I, and I'm sure all of us, here for you anytime, anyway for any amount of time. 💞

Thanks for reminding us to connect, Michelle. I feel a bit like I want to turtle shell myself, but I don't think that's the best for me. I need to constantly remind myself of the half that doesn't support what happened and that my burden is eased when I help others with their burdens. 

Peace to you and yours,

Holly 

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[Erin OBrien]

Hi everyone,

I feel much the same as Holly. I also have that feeling that we got through it once, we can do it again. But I’m also wondering if it will be way worse. I don’t really know. 

I am also trying really hard to hold on to a lot of the progress I’ve made in therapy the last few years of not going down some spirally mental rabbitholes. I am determined not to let that go of that traction I’ve gained, but I still feel stuck on how exactly to do that sometimes. 

It’s not the same as this political situation, but I think a lot of what I do as a teacher is fight the good fight. Even when it won’t matter to some students. Even when some days (hell, years), I won't win. Even when I can’t help or “fix“ everyone/every problem, I show up and try every single day to move that needle forward to a better tomorrow—to leave this world a better place than I found it. Bc ultimately that’s why I do what do I do, and I believe in that very deeply. 

And that’s what I intend to keep doing, and so many people do this in so many other ways each day too. I see a lot of parallels with this election. We can keep fighting the good fight. It’s all we can do, so I think it’s important to find what that means for you. For me and my job, that means what I stand for—and will and won’t allow—in my classroom with regard to care and respect for others, and how I treat people. For others, it will look different, of course. But one thing we cannot do is lay down the sword completely. And we won’t. I believe that for sure. ♥️

Erin

On Nov 9, 2024, at 12:27 PM, Holly Webster <sothan...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Holly Webster]

Well said, Erin. I don't like to take scripture out of context, but this one verse helps redirect me out of the pit of despair:

     "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable  - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Phil 4:8 (NIV)

Part of the reason why the Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church at Philippi was to express gratitude, be encouraging and to say that there can be joy in the midst of suffering. I am grateful for each of you and my wish for you all is that you can find joy no matter what suffering is happening, so that you can carry on.

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